My cousin told me once to make a list of everything I wanted in a spouse, I would know I met the one when each of those things was checked off. While I thought it was silly, I still made that list, and guess who checked everything off? We first met MONTHS before we began dating, and in that brief period I told Stella: "I want to be with someone like Kevin." Little did I know I'd get to be WITH Kevin. Kevin left for a summer in the mountains, and I carried on with life, until one Sunday Kevin popped back into my life, and never left again. (not true, he left me for the mountains again 3 weeks later.) Our first "hangout" was a trip to the beach... Stella in the backseat, I, covered in bed bug bites, and my car smelling like vinegar and lemon, (don't ask.) But, Kevin continued to pursue me, despite the stench, bites, and not so happy Stella. This truly was the foundation of our story. Things never seemed to be "normal," often times, our 4 years of dating were spotted with metaphorical stenches and bites. Yet, despite these spots, our 4 years have been covered in laughter and love. We always say we were simply in the right place at the right time when we met. However, I don't believe in coincidences, and I know that the Lord had a very special plan when He placed Kevin in my life.

It all started with pancakes. The first time I met Emma, she was enjoying the pancakes I had made her. To this day, I'm still the one making pancakes. Unfortunately, not long after that pancake breakfast, I would leave to work at a camp without pursuing her. 3 months later I came back from camp, and I was so excited to see this girl. Every time she would ask to hang out, there was no hesitation to say yes. I knew I wanted to spend more time with her, and never cared about her messy car or bug bites. I loved how easy it was to talk to her, and to just hang out. I was about to leave again, and I knew I needed to make this girl mine before I left. 2 weeks before leaving, I asked her dad for permission to date her, and 3 years later I asked his permission, once again, to marry the love of my life!